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Swine flu confirmed in NY high school |
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Sunday, 26 April 2009 |
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Mayor Bloomberg announced in a news conference Sunday morning that the Centers for Disease Control confirmed cases of swine flu in a Queens school.
The mayor said St. Francis Preparatory School will be closed on Monday, and asked students, faculty and staff at the school who are feeling flu-like symptoms to stay home for at least 48 hours.
Those who are sick are also advised to cover their mouths, wash their hands regularly, and limit their contact with other people in order to limit spreading the illness.
Bloomberg also said health officials are looking for cases of swine flu outbreak in other parts of the City.
Every area hospital was on the lookout for patients with respiratory problems and other symptoms consistent with swine flu.
"We're looking at this minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, New York Health Commissioner.
Senator Schumer said health officials did not find any severe cases of the disease in the United States, but warned although they were mild now, that doesn't mean they won't find severe cases later on.
Q&A: What Is Swine Flu?
More than 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens were suddenly hit with fever, sore throat and other aches and pains. Preliminary lab results came back positive for swine flu in eight tests, and the CDC confirmed the results.
"What's concerning about this, is that it is likely swine flu. Second, at this time, it is spreading from person to person," Frieden said.
And students at the school are taking notice. "So many kids getting sick all in one day its something unexpected," said student Philip Pantoja.
"They should close the school down for a week just to check out everything," student John Lindo said.
"I just saw lot a lot of kids lined up along the wall near the nurse's office," sophomore Kelsey Dittmeir said.
The big question: is this an aggressive, deadly strain of swine flu? The health commissioner said symptoms in the New York cases are mild compared to what doctors are seeing in Mexico.
Eight patients have also turned up in California and Texas, although their symptoms have been mild.
Health Department investigators are now looking at the travel histories of everyone affiliated with St. Francis Prep, students, teachers and staff, to find out if any of them spent spring break in Mexico.
Investigators are also testing children who fell ill at a day care center in the Bronx, and clusters of sick kids recently turned up in Chappaqua, Westchester County and Amityville, Suffolk County.
"The city is very well prepared. We've prepared for years at every level," Frieden said.
Students told CBS 2 HD they planned on getting tested over the weekend. One senior we spoke to said she left school Thursday before her fellow classmates got ill.
"My chest just hurts and I have shortness of breath. My ears were hurting me earlier but they are okay now. My head is still in and out," Noel Alexandria said.
New York has a swine flu action plan, including CDC testing of specimens. All hospitals are monitored and included in conference calls.
They also get extra doses of tamiflu and back up ventilation machines on order.
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